National demonstration ‘Stop war in Ukraine!’ Brussels, Sunday 26 February, 13:00

The war in Ukraine has cost too many lives and caused too much destruction. It is both a responsibility and a duty of states and their people to commit to de-escalation and support for talks. For the Ukrainian people but also for humanity and the planet which cannot endure this war any longer.

𝟭. 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲. 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗿

We condemn the Russian aggression against a sovereign state which is a grave violation of the United Nations Charter. Though we have different views on the conflict, the signatories are united in their call for Russia and Ukraine to observe an immediate cease-fire and to commit to peace talks. We stand with those who reject the logic of war in Ukraine, in Russia or anywhere in the world.

𝟮. 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗿

We express our solidarity with the Ukrainian people and all those who suffer from the war. We condemn the violence against civilians and war crimes. All persons fleeing the war must be welcomed with dignity. Conscientious objectors have the right to asylum.

𝟯. 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

We reject policy based on confrontation and prolongation of the war. The relentless escalation of the reasoning of war including by Belgium and the European countries is producing further dreadful consequences that are potentially apocalyptic. As the war continues there is a growing risk of using nuclear weapons. It is urgent to ban nuclear weapons worldwide.

We call for a policy of active peace. All diplomatic means must be used to instigate a de-escalation and bring the warring parties to a cease-fire so that talks may bring a just and lasting peace.

𝟰. 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁

We want diplomatic efforts to resume in building a collective and united security system. We call for a new security architecture based on the principle that security cannot be sought at the expense of others. We reject the instrumentalization of this war to greatly increase military budgets in an already over-armed world. Disarmament must become the objective again.

𝟱. 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆, 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

We are concerned by the social, economic and environmental consequences that the war and its countermeasures have caused, which largely explains the energy crisis and the increase in energy bills. It is always the planet and people, the vulnerable in particular, who pay the price of the wars maintained by our leaders and the arms industry. Instead of increasing military spending we must invest more in social services, public services and ecological transition.

‘Europe For Peace' demonstration in many countries and capitals

This event is part of the 'Europe For Peace' campaign, promoted by a broad coalition of European civil society. During the weekend of 24-26 February, peace demonstrations and activities will take place in several cities in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, the UK, Austria and other countries. Here is their call:

STOP THE WAR IN UKRAINE

One year of war is enough!

The Russian invasion of Ukrainian territory began on 24 February 2022. A violation of the UN charter and international law that demands immediate justice.

Europe for peace is calling all European people to call for a ceasefire, dialogue and peace negotiations to build a Europe that is safe and peaceful for all.

Show solidarity with the Ukrainian people and the victims of all war, violence, repression and discrimination around the world.

Peace is the victory we need!

An overview of planned actions across Europe is available at

https://sbilanciamoci.info/europe-for-peace/peace-initiatives/